Should I Worry About Local Wildlife In Site Selection?

“Hey there, I recently started planning my backyard farm and I’m really excited! My yard backs onto some woods and I often see deer, raccoons, and even the occasional fox. I’m wondering if I should worry about these animals when selecting the site for my garden and other farming activities. Any tips on what I should keep in mind to minimize any potential problems? Thanks a bunch!” Thanks, Jennifer, Portland, USA.

Should I Worry About Local Wildlife In Site Selection?

Having a backyard farm is an incredible way to connect with nature while producing your own food. However, the presence of local wildlife can pose some unique challenges—especially for someone like Jennifer who sees her yard frequently visited by deer, raccoons, and the occasional fox. Understanding these challenges and planning accordingly can help ensure your backyard farm flourishes with minimal interference. Let’s go through everything to consider.

Understanding Local Wildlife

Different types of wildlife have varying impacts on your backyard farm. Knowing what species frequent your yard is the first step.

Common Wildlife to Consider

• Deer: Deer are known for munching on garden plants, including vegetables and flowers. They’re attracted to easy food sources and can jump quite high, making fencing important.
• Raccoons: These little bandits are notorious for raiding garbage bins and can cause significant damage to corn crops and fruit trees. They’re very clever and can get through basic protections.
• Foxes: While they might leave your plants alone, foxes are a threat to small livestock like chickens. Their agility and digging abilities mean you need sturdy enclosures.
• Birds: Birds can be both friends and foes. While they eat pests, they can also peck at fruits and seeds.
• Rodents: Mice and rats can quickly become a problem by eating seeds, fruits, and stored produce.

Site Selection Tips

Location, Location, Location

Selecting the right site within your backyard is crucial. Here are some key considerations:

• Proximity to Woods: Given Jennifer’s yard backs onto woods, it’s best to position the farm away from the treeline. Wildlife will use the wooded areas as their main shelter and food sources, so placing your garden further away reduces their temptation to venture into it.
• Visibility: An area in plain sight offers fewer hiding spots for animals. This makes it easier to spot any unwelcome guests before they cause damage.
• Elevation: Low-lying areas might seem inconspicuous, but water from heavy rains can pool, making it attractive to certain wildlife and damaging to plants.

Creating Physical Barriers

Physical barriers are your first line of defense against local wildlife. Here are various options:

• Fencing: A tall, sturdy fence is essential. For deer, consider a fence at least 8 feet high. Raccoons require something less climb-friendly, like smooth posts.
• Netting: Bird netting over crops can deter avian pests while row covers protect seedbeds.
• Small Livestock Pens: Secure enclosures with hardware cloth and dug-in fencing to prevent digging animals from breaching the perimeter.

Plants as Barriers

• Repellent Plants: Some plants naturally repel certain animals. For example, deer dislike strong-smelling plants like lavender and mint.
• Hedges: Dense, thorny hedges can serve as a natural barrier and are less prone to damage by wildlife compared to other plant types.

Protecting Your Crops

Even with barriers, some persistent wildlife might still find ways to sneak into your backyard farm. Here are additional strategies to protect your crops:

Using Companion Planting

Companion planting can be a wonderful method to protect crops:

• Marigolds and Tomatoes: Plant marigolds among tomato plants to fend off nematodes and certain insects.
• Chives and Roses: Chives can help reduce problems with aphids on rose bushes.

Choosing Wildlife-Resistant Plants

Certain plants naturally repel specific wildlife:

• Deer-Resistant: Lavender, marigold, and foxglove are less appealing to deer, making them great choices for garden borders.
• Raccoon-Resistant: Squash and cucumbers are less attractive to raccoons, especially those with prickly stems and leaves.

Deterrents and Scare Techniques

Deterrents can further protect your backyard farm. Here are some to consider:

Natural Deterrents

Use natural deterrents to make your garden less appealing:

• Essential Oils: Scattering cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil can deter rodents. Caution: reapply frequently as they lose potency.
• Garlic Spray: Spraying garlic-infused water on plants can deter deer and rabbits due to the strong odor.

Scare Tactics

Simple scare tactics can go a long way:

• Motion Sensor Lights: Bright lights can surprise and scare off nocturnal animals like raccoons.
• Noise Makers: Wind chimes or ultrasonic wildlife deterrents can make areas less welcoming.

Securing Livestock

For those raising small livestock, like Jennifer considering chickens, extra care is essential:

Sturdy Enclosures

Ensuring you have durable, secure enclosures:

• Coop Construction: Use materials that are resistant to chewing and digging. Wire mesh with small openings is preferable.
• Night Lockup: Always lock up animals in secure housing at night to protect them from nocturnal predators like raccoons and foxes.

Regular Monitoring

Check enclosures regularly for signs of wear and tear or attempted break-ins. Fix issues immediately to prevent wildlife from exploiting any weaknesses.

Site Maintenance

Regular site maintenance also plays a critical role in keeping wildlife at bay:

Cleanliness

Keeping a clean area reduces attraction to wildlife:

• Remove Debris: Piles of leaves, sticks, or compost can provide hiding places for rodents and other small animals.
• Secure Trash: Use wildlife-proof trash bins to prevent raccoons and other scavengers from being attracted to your yard.

Water Source Management

Manage water sources to avoid attracting more wildlife:

• Standing Water: Remove any standing water where pests might breed.
• Watering Schedule: Water plants early in the day to allow the soil to dry by evening, reducing the appeal for nocturnal wildlife.

Engaging with the Local Community

Interacting with your neighbors can provide additional support:

• Community Watch: Neighbors can alert one another about wildlife sightings and successful deterrent strategies.
• Sharing Resources: Consider group purchases of fencing or other deterrents to save costs.

Backyard farming can be deeply rewarding, but dealing with local wildlife requires careful planning and ongoing effort. Jennifer, it sounds like you have beautiful woods nearby that offer a serene backdrop but could also invite some challenges. Implementing the strategies discussed here will go a long way to ensuring your backyard farm thrives without continuous disruptions from wildlife.

Final Thoughts…

Jennifer, thanks for your question! Remember, the key aspects are choosing a good location, setting up effective barriers, protecting your crops and livestock, and maintaining a clean and well-monitored site. Iterating on these steps will give you a fruitful and enjoyable backyard farming experience. Happy farming!